If you're itching for some classic side-scrolling action, the Goose Federation wants you. But be advised, this game is an assault on your senses as well as on your webbed fingers.

As it normally goes, the planet is once again being invaded by a bunch of goons hell-bent on taking over the world. But fear not as humanity is sending its biggest and toughest warrior to stop the invasion.

No, it's not Stallone or Schwarzenegger, it's the Goose. Make that, The Mighty Goose.

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

To combat the enormous wave of bad guys coming at you, you'll need superior firepower to survive and the game obliges accordingly. Armed with a slew of weapons that would make most third-world countries green with envy, the Goose uses his wits and honking abilities to dodge, evade, and mow down enemies through some of the most explosive levels not seen since the days of Metal Slug.

Taking its cues from classics like Contra and Super Turrican, Mighty Goose expands on the tried and true formula of arcade shooters and takes it up a notch with its intense gameplay and vibrant, retro-inspired visuals. The basic formula hasn't changed as you take the Goose from level to level going left to right and up and down.

Blasting open crates and eliminating bad guys garners you coins which you can use to purchase upgrades and enhancements. Along the way, you'll be joined by AI-controlled ducks and pigs who will assist you in taking down the more challenging bosses. The sound effects pack a punch as well with crystal-clear explosions and thumping soundtracks that will rock your proverbial hen house.

Release the Goose

Despite the game being everything a shooter fan could wish for, there are a few nuances that prevent the Goose from claiming top roost. One, while the visuals are impressive, it also hinders the player due to the fact that you almost always lose track of where the Goose might be due in large part to so many things happening on-screen at once.

Oftentimes, you'll often find yourself in the thick of an explosive firefight only to keep shooting and blindly dodging projectiles hoping to wipe out the enemies before they make duck meat out of you.

Second, like all arcade shooters of this type, Mighty Goose is a short game that can be completed in one sitting. Now, this isn't a knock against the game per se, but more about the limitations of the genre.

Making the game too long makes it repetitive and boring and making it too short would feel like a cheap and unfulfilling thrill. And despite the addition of online play, the game doesn't offer any new levels to try out. You are, essentially, just replaying the levels again, but this time with a companion.

Getting Goosebumps

While Mighty Goose doesn't blast open new territory it does provide some awesome thrills, frantic actions, excellent controls, and imaginative level design. If you're feeling a bit fowl (get it?) do yourself a favor and grab this game. This Goose is everything is quacked up to be!

Joel

Healthcare Professional, Gamer, and Writer all rolled up in one. He once opened up an old Atari 2600 to see if it had a heart ... and it did. Hence, the lifelong love affair with gaming.

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